I feel like I'm leaving money on the table. Help please.

[Autothrust Blue]

Like the others have said, network and put in your apps and good luck...

With that said, I have to reply to your regionals comment. It is a tough pill to swallow, but it might pay off in the long run. Lots of pilots have had to take that hit. I had to take a 50% paycut once I left my regional for the airline I'm flying now. I know a lot of pilots at my previous airline that said, 'I cant make the jump, i cant afford the paycut'. Well, I'm pretty sure, I made more money in my 3rd full year here, than a lot of senior Captains I left behind. And my pay will only go up from here and possibly even double once I upgrade. I got almost 30 years ahead of me at that much higher payrate. I'm not saying this to brag or talk about how large my $#&^$ is. But to show that in this industry, its just what it takes sometimes. You can sit here and say I cant live off regional pay for a couple years (some regionals are paying attractive bonuses), meanwhile, you are losing longevity/TPIC/121 time/etc...to make you a better candidate for a major or a legacy.

The longer you put it off, the more expensive it is.

That said, at least where I work, the greatest increases have come to the bottom of the scale. While it's not phenomenal money, it's also not $20/hour anymore. (Packs, probes, transponder, flaps...hey wait, what's going on? ) It's probably only going to get better from here on out too.

 

[Flying Saluki]

Basics: 3000+ TT, 1000 multi, 600MTPIC part 135 flying a Lear 35. ATP, BS, and good work history.

My pay scale will top out soon and I don't want to move since I could easily commute from where I currently live. It just seems like the corporate/part 91 world is falling behind on wages and I'd hate to miss a chance to earn some good money for my family.

Regionals are out since I can't feed a family on those pay scales.

Are there any majors that would even look at me considering my relative "low time" or should I just grind it out for 5 more years part 135?

Falling behind whom on wages?

 

[Leer-n-pilot]

Falling behind whom on wages?

Corporate pay doesn't top out as high as 121 pay and there are fewer benefits as well.

 

[falconvalley]

The lack of 121 experience might be a factor, but nothing surprises me these days. A few years ago, the best candidates for airlines that sell the tickets had 121 Turbine PIC. Now, many seem to like pilots who haven't even upgraded, yet. The one big hurdle at the end of the journey, seems to be universally who you recently spoke with, who's relevant.

 

[Flying Saluki]

Basics: 3000+ TT, 1000 multi, 600MTPIC part 135 flying a Lear 35. ATP, BS, and good work history.

My pay scale will top out soon and I don't want to move since I could easily commute from where I currently live. It just seems like the corporate/part 91 world is falling behind on wages and I'd hate to miss a chance to earn some good money for my family.

Regionals are out since I can't feed a family on those pay scales.

Are there any majors that would even look at me considering my relative "low time" or should I just grind it out for 5 more years part 135?

Get your TPIC time above 1000, and you're as competitive as you are going to be without making a change. The way I see it, as was said in another thread, corporate/charter operators are an unknown quantity vis-a-vis the airline world. Airline recruiters like hiring pilots from another airline because they are getting a known quantity. They know that these individuals have passed a regulated training course, and can function in a structured environment. They don't know that about pilots that have worked for ABC corporate flight department, or from XYZ Flight Service. As long as the majors can be picky, they are going to continue with the hiring practices that produce predictable results.

And as a side note, to my knowledge, corporate/charter operators have always paid less than 121 major airlines. So, to answer your question, you're not leaving money on the table. What you need to do is find a bigger table.